James D. Sheppard ’50

Jim died Dec. 20, 2015, in Greenville, S.C., after a brief illness. He was recognized as a civic leader in the community.

He came to Princeton from The Hill School. He was in the Navy ROTC program, played in the University orchestra, and majored in economics. Following his commission at graduation, Jim served in the Navy for three years. One of his assignments was as executive officer on the minesweeper USS Waxbill off the Korean coast. He retired from the Naval reserve in 1960 as a lieutenant.

In 1954 he began his long career in banking by joining SNC Bank, the largest in South Carolina. In 1967, Jim graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He retired in 1987.

Jim was an avid photographer and prolific author of historical articles. He was particularly interested in preserving the history of railroading in the upstate area of South Carolina and frequently lectured on railroad-related subjects. The railroad resource center of the Hub City Railroad Museum in Spartanburg, S.C., bears his name.

His wife, Frances, predeceased him in 2011; they were married in 1962. Jim is survived by a sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews.